tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1469955894609884362019-03-14T12:41:33.452-04:00Dara Barwick ConsultingSpecializing in Strategy and Solutions for: Marketing, Customer Loyalty, Strategic Planning, Leadership Development, Performance Coaching, Creating A Legacy, Entrepreneurship, Executive Recruitment. Our fresh ideas and perspective provide the direction you're looking for. You gain more time to focus on your business priorities resulting in being more profitable.Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-51569412766616578582018-11-29T07:30:00.000-05:002018-11-29T07:30:05.029-05:00A Month of Seminars - Wrapped up!<br /><br />I just wrapped up the last of four 90-minute seminars held each Tuesday in November. Whew! That kept me plenty busy so I stayed out of trouble.<br /><br />The topics were Customer Service, Communication, Strategic Planning and The 5 Generations.<br />If you want some advice on planning multiple seminars yourself, here are some tips that helped me:<br /><br />1) Survey as many people as you can reach to find out what topics they are most interested in learning more about.<br />2) Design a basic seminar outline you will follow for each seminar. For example:<br />Welcome and Intros<br />What we will cover today<br />Thing 1, why and how<br />Thing 2, why and how<br />Interactive Activity<br />Thing 3, why and how<br />Review and Questions<br />End<br /><br />3) Make sure your graphic design and up-front info clearly tells what you're going to teach.<br /><br />&nbsp;If you will follow this simple outline, you will find it's not so difficult to plan multiple seminars with different topics. You can do it too. Get started now!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2rGgncDCV8/W_9ud20INrI/AAAAAAAADIE/4cPxyw5grYMGc_u2MTn2BepafH-e-2eDwCLcBGAs/s1600/seminars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2rGgncDCV8/W_9ud20INrI/AAAAAAAADIE/4cPxyw5grYMGc_u2MTn2BepafH-e-2eDwCLcBGAs/s400/seminars.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-70692148732363799592018-11-28T23:42:00.000-05:002018-11-28T23:42:21.294-05:00Do you know the economic impact in your community?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--o5og-8io9w/W_9rw7L8XfI/AAAAAAAADH4/gdLEmb5sJcIycE1EDoySKZkqHYgadUl2gCLcBGAs/s1600/economic%2Bimpact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="960" height="236" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--o5og-8io9w/W_9rw7L8XfI/AAAAAAAADH4/gdLEmb5sJcIycE1EDoySKZkqHYgadUl2gCLcBGAs/s400/economic%2Bimpact.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />I was honored to serve as facilitator of the Thomasville &amp; Thomas County Economic Impact 2018 event. This was a change-up for the Chamber of Commerce as they usually host a different type of economic development event each year. In the past the event has not contained as much local and relevant content as desired, so this year made all the difference!<br /><br />Panelists were:<br />Shelley Zorn, local Economic Developer<br />April Norton, Main Street Director<br />Bonnie Hayes, Tourism Director<br />Julie Bryan, KeySouth Real Estate Group<br />Ty Turner, Synovus Bank<br />Brian Weibler, Tall Timbers Research Station<br /><br />As you might expect, each panelist was asked to answer questions directly related to their expertise and industry.<br /><br />Overall, the Thomasville community's economic development outlook is good, BUT there must be action to overcome the surprising number of non-working adults in the community and the need for median priced real estate for rentals and ownership.<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoyed being involved in this event and learned a lot. My recommendation to everyone is to be engaged as much as you can in your local community. It's good for all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="mailto:michelle.mitcham@famu.edu" target="_blank">Economic Impact - Thomasville</a>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-82986170442438832702018-10-26T11:10:00.000-04:002018-10-26T11:10:26.898-04:00Here's the seminar you're looking for: Smart Strategic Planning - Own and Implement It!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsAuQbIvyfU/W9MtP1Z2XjI/AAAAAAAADGo/wgVMO4vFhr4qDX6az3N2uSX5skS2MwiyQCLcBGAs/s1600/seminars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsAuQbIvyfU/W9MtP1Z2XjI/AAAAAAAADGo/wgVMO4vFhr4qDX6az3N2uSX5skS2MwiyQCLcBGAs/s400/seminars.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get ready! November is going to be packed on Tuesdays with genuine professional development that can be the positive upswing your looking for in your business or workplace.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the first in a 4-Tuesday series. Register today! I will look forward to seeing you there!</span><br /><br /><a href="https://tinyurl.com/y7p92h6p" target="_blank">Smart Strategic Planning Seminar!</a><br /><br />For details on the other 3 Tuesday seminars, follow:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DaraBarwickConsulting/?ref=bookmarks" target="_blank">Dara Barwick Consulting</a>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-56266030621590021312018-09-07T13:18:00.001-04:002018-09-07T13:18:41.968-04:00Position announcement: Human Resources Director (Albany, GA)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRRf2MZ5qes/W5KygO2MPcI/AAAAAAAADFE/7pVDzoMIizwzcuLTxpJ_hpN9jYzMZzz3gCLcBGAs/s1600/professinals%2Bat%2Bwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRRf2MZ5qes/W5KygO2MPcI/AAAAAAAADFE/7pVDzoMIizwzcuLTxpJ_hpN9jYzMZzz3gCLcBGAs/s400/professinals%2Bat%2Bwork.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Job Description: Human Resources Director</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span> (Albany, GA; start date before 11/01/18)</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">The Human Resources Director will report directly to the President of the organization and be responsible for planning and directing all human resource activities including and not limited to recruiting, compensation, benefits, policies, performance management, safety and training. The Human Resources Director works closely with employees and employer to ensure the organization runs smoothly.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Responsibilities: </span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">A.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Advise managers/supervisors on organizational policy matters and resolution of employee relations issues. </span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">B.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Recruit and interview job candidates; assist the President and managers in the selection of new hires, provide new personnel with information on policies, duties, working conditions, wages and employee benefits.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">C.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Plan and conduct new employee orientation to foster understanding and a positive attitude toward organizational objectives.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">D.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Analyze training needs and design employee development plans to include <span style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>managers and staff. </span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">E.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Administer performance review and salary program to ensure effectiveness, compliance and equity within the organization.<span style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">F.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Train managers/supervisors; coordinate training in interviewing, hiring, goal setting, performance management, and terminations. </span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">G.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Perform duties such as mediating disputes, administering disciplinary procedures and employee terminations, workers comp claims and assuring policies are in place and adhered to.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">H.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Consult with legal counsel to ensure that policies, current and new, comply with federal and state law. </span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">I.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Prepare and follow budgets for personnel operations.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">J.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Administer and coordinate compensation, benefits, performance management and safety and wellness programs.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">K.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Provide support and communication to managers and employees by serving as a link to handle questions and help resolve work-related problems. </span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">L.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Oversee the maintenance and communication of records required by law or local governing bodies, or other departments in the organization.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">M.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Other duties as required by management.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Minimum qualifications:</span></b></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in HR, Business or related field.</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">5 years of HR Management Experience</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 48px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Courier New&quot;; margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">o<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; margin: 0px;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Proven knowledge and expertise</span></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;">To apply, please send resume and cover letter to dara@darabarwick.com</span></b><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></span></div><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-76831998387142710732018-09-07T13:11:00.002-04:002018-09-07T13:11:12.474-04:00She Creates Business 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDR6oSbWLtc/W5KvSkRc6PI/AAAAAAAADE4/70USCU6DzukxRob8YirZoSlyoeGgY1_owCLcBGAs/s1600/FB%2BHorizontal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zDR6oSbWLtc/W5KvSkRc6PI/AAAAAAAADE4/70USCU6DzukxRob8YirZoSlyoeGgY1_owCLcBGAs/s400/FB%2BHorizontal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a fan, follower and supporter of businesses and entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs. I want to see everyone succeed, so I try to "be there" when I have an opportunity.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year I co-founded She Creates Business, a conference for women entrepreneurs. This year our attendance doubled! We held the conference in a lovely event space, brought in great speakers, received support from admired sponsors and we were blessed with an event to remember!&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;I'll post more about the conference in a future post. In the meantime, follow us on fb and IG. There's now a fb group for sharing business topics and opportunities. Be sure to join it!</span><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/237783366913121/" target="_blank">She Creates Business</a><br /><br />&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shecreatesbiz/" target="_blank">She Creates Biz</a>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-22951985988593093202018-07-30T11:31:00.000-04:002018-07-30T11:31:35.743-04:00Dear Women Entrepreneurs, (yes, you)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIaOp4K2LJ8/W18kG6ZNqDI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/hXHcRuEKSi86gllFmho-MNDm1mg91mpkACLcBGAs/s1600/like%2Ba%2Bboss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIaOp4K2LJ8/W18kG6ZNqDI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/hXHcRuEKSi86gllFmho-MNDm1mg91mpkACLcBGAs/s400/like%2Ba%2Bboss.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">How many opportunities come your way to learn from and connect with other women who have a serious desire to hear straight from the pros, the ones who are experiencing high levels of business growth and learn from them? What did they do to ascend to the next level? What was the tipping point in public relations? Was there one thing in marketing that taught them a valuable lesson you'll also want to know about?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;">Here's your opportunity. I imagine, like me, you're used to seeing conference registration prices that exceed what you feel is a reasonable investment for your business. That's one reason to check out She Creates Business 2018.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"><a href="https://www.shecreatesbiz.com/" target="_blank">She Creates Business 2018</a> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;">We intentionally kept ticket prices at a level you can easily afford. If you missed the early bird discounted prices, tickets are still under $100. Yes, you heard me correctly, and until August 8th, they're under $95!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;">What do you get for that price? You'll hear from The Zimmerman Agency, the PR and advertising firm that ranks #1 in Florida and ranks in the top 5 in the US. Then, there's the rising star in video marketing, Montina Portis, who is traveling the country making video marketing hotter than hot! But, that's not all, folks. Wait 'til you hear from marketing and PR experts in 8 different businesses and editors-in-chief from two regional magazines. Who knows? Maybe they'll decide to feature your business before the day is over.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"><a href="https://www.shecreatesbiz.com/" target="_blank">She Creates Business 2018</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;">Want me to share how we'll wind up the day? Ever heard of Julie Bryan Moran, former ESPN broadcaster, current Lifetime TV Balance co-host, and a long list of other broadcasting roles? Yep, that's her! She'll be here too. Julie has a great story, being from a small, south Georgia hometown&nbsp; going on to Pro-Sports and award show broadcasting. She's a hit everywhere she goes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;">I'll be so disappointed if you don't join us! It's our passion to help other women entrepreneurs design their businesses to grow. We feel so blessed to have ticket sales going so well, and we want you to have a ticket too. It's now 24 days 'til She Creates Business swings open the doors to inspiration, growth, and connecting! You're welcome there, and we look forward to seeing you.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJP5M-o4ddA/W18jbrTzFOI/AAAAAAAAC8A/AW_xcwstul0CcmhmQliFAQzx0IdYVk9BgCLcBGAs/s1600/FB%2BHorizontal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJP5M-o4ddA/W18jbrTzFOI/AAAAAAAAC8A/AW_xcwstul0CcmhmQliFAQzx0IdYVk9BgCLcBGAs/s400/FB%2BHorizontal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-8279066388303109482018-07-30T10:36:00.001-04:002018-07-30T11:31:10.606-04:00So, you think the economy is all about those people in D.C.? Guess what?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOVCwmWT2ws/W18gUGAByII/AAAAAAAAC6g/q2_Q591Sv3wa9t8GRkPtJXutQSSehNQFwCLcBGAs/s1600/economic%2Bimpact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="960" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOVCwmWT2ws/W18gUGAByII/AAAAAAAAC6g/q2_Q591Sv3wa9t8GRkPtJXutQSSehNQFwCLcBGAs/s400/economic%2Bimpact.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have an idea! Instead of depending only on the national news media to find out about the economy at home, how would you like to learn a lot about your LOCAL economy? It all fits together like a puzzle. Or, perhaps it's more of a maze! How and when does the national and international economy affect Thomasville, and in what ways?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm proud of the Thomasville-Thomas County, GA Chamber for putting together Economic Impact 2018 for the community. What a lot of work is put into this!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six panelists, each local experts in their field are preparing current information about the local economy to share at this event. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The panelists are Julie Bryan, real estate; Ty Turner, banking; Brian Wiebler, hunting and conservation; Bonnie Hayes, tourism, April Norton, Main Street; and Shelley Zorn, local professional economic developer. I'll be facilitating the panel, throwing some questions to them to get the answers that are bound to give you some AHA!'s.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Chamber feels certain that citizens will find great value in this event, so they're already thinking ahead to next year when they will feature expert panelists from other industries such as healthcare, education, or manufacturing.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a clip from WPAX local radio with some insight to the event:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/chris-hurst-3/economic-impact-august-23rd" target="_blank">WPAX - Economic Impact 2018</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Register now to attend!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Here's the link for information and registration:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/yd99hznq" target="_blank">Register here!</a></span></b><br /><div id="success" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 40px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See you there!</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-92086619933133592062018-07-11T13:28:00.002-04:002018-07-11T13:28:28.647-04:00The Vacant House <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I’ve believed for a long time that whatever we focus on is what we bring to life.<br />In 1990 I was living in a very small house and wishing I could afford to buy a home. As a single/ divorced mom of two, I sometimes felt like all I did was work and count pennies! But, at the same time, I didn’t realize that my circumstances were different from anyone else. It was just what it was.<br /><br />Every day on my drive to work I passed a house that appealed to me. It seemed to be vacant. The house was not real special except it had a large yard. It was a ranch house with very little landscaping. I don’t know why I liked that house. Maybe it looked like something I might afford! So, every single day I looked at that house on the way to work and on the way home, wondering what the circumstances were about it. This went on for months.<br /><br />One day there was a sign in the yard giving notice that it was bank owned. I contacted the bank right away to find out the details. It was 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, dining room, and a couple of acres. Long story short, I bought that house for $53,000. I lived on one income, but I had good credit and a good history with my job. It was still a long shot.<br /><br />I am pretty sure I actually prayed about that house, although I can’t remember when or how many times I turned that longing and curiosity into a prayer. What I do know is this:<br />1) God heard me and knew what my heart longed for..a home.<br />2) When we focus on something there is a much greater chance the “thing” will come to be.<br />And, if God is in it, well, it’s gotta be a good thing. 😉Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-41436850940715664022018-01-22T08:39:00.000-05:002018-01-22T08:39:38.489-05:00The "2018 Ready" Employer <br /><br /><br /><br />I'm going to offer some business advice for 2018.<br />I meet with quite a few businesses over the course of a year, and I'm impressed with employers who make employees a priority in the business. By this I mean showing employees respect, and giving them opportunities to demonstrate their talents and be rewarded &nbsp;and recognized. Employers who micromanage, distrust, and treat employees with a lack of respect are asking for the trouble they get. Once an employer loses the trust and respect of employees it's hard to win back, but an employer with a sincere desire to turn a bad situation around can do so. 1)Employers, when you have an issue with an employee, address that issue directly with the specific employee. Never issue blanket warnings and punishment to all.<br />2)Show trust and respect unless and until an employee has given you reason for doubt. See #1<br />3) Give every employee fair and specific expectations and goals, involving the employee in the decisions and coming to an agreement.<br />3) Recognize and reward employees for their accomplishments. Never be smug.<br />4) Employees perform best from coaching, not from being managed. Do you want to be managed? Of course you don't. Why do you think employees would?<br />5) People spend a very large part of their lives at work. Do what you can to make your workplace culture a desirable place to work.<br />6) If you're self-centered, stop today. Effective leaders are people focused, not self-absorbed.<br />7) Are you the example and role model your employees need? Be honest. If you're not, change that today.<br />To summarize, there is nothing in your business more important than the talent you've hired. The sales, product and service aren't worth a dime if the employees are miserable working for you.<br />Be your best self, and you will be rewarded.<br />Have a great 2018!Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-42490566946591371232017-08-15T21:14:00.001-04:002017-08-15T21:14:11.276-04:00Have you met B.T. in the Business Jungle?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2W7MEYrAuU/WZOcEwya9uI/AAAAAAAABMI/4ztFOQiElWcPmBle2TkVj670ESfbzIVawCLcBGAs/s1600/gorilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="300" height="324" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2W7MEYrAuU/WZOcEwya9uI/AAAAAAAABMI/4ztFOQiElWcPmBle2TkVj670ESfbzIVawCLcBGAs/s400/gorilla.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />In the&nbsp;business jungle&nbsp;lives a hulking,&nbsp;sleepy gorilla named&nbsp;Boring Traditionalist, and he's a heavy weight.&nbsp;&nbsp;Let's take an honest look at this primate and how he affects businesses, maybe&nbsp;yours. For&nbsp;the purpose of holding your interest I'll call him B.T. <br /><br />B.T. has&nbsp;existed in the business jungle a long, long time, and he's rarely been disturbed. You would think&nbsp;leopards, venomous snakes and hunters&nbsp;would have killed him off by now, but he's immortal. Or so he believes, and if you believe something with all your heart, it becomes&nbsp;true to you.<br /><br />The B.T. of business&nbsp;is identified by the routine, the mundane, the stuff that takes minimal effort and certainly no creative thinking skills. It's possible that B.T. has survived in the business jungle because he keeps a low profile, sits in the trees without going out on a limb, hunts for food&nbsp;at night and exhibits very low energy. He's old and worn out.&nbsp; <br /><br />Where&nbsp;does B.T. live in your business?&nbsp; Is he in the&nbsp;promotions plan where the line item still says "Advertising" and includes the same budget tactics used by everyone&nbsp;40 years ago? Does B.T. direct your customer service&nbsp;culture&nbsp;to be&nbsp;rooted in believing you have no competition? When you hear how important branding is, does B.T. shake his head in disbelief that you would go to the trouble to stand out from the crowd?<br /><br />I've witnessed B.T. in his&nbsp;most comfortable&nbsp;environment when CEO's and Managers&nbsp;are&nbsp;way behind in modern, competitive business practices, reluctant or fearful.&nbsp;Staying&nbsp;ahead&nbsp;in the jungle&nbsp;requires being alert, implementing smart plans, executing competitive strategies,&nbsp;understanding the lay of the land, and constantly improving the business culture.<br /><br />B.T.(Boring Traditionalist)&nbsp;can be&nbsp;a problem, but only if you allow him to&nbsp;infiltrate your business. Don't stand for it, and don't settle for less than what your company and your people deserve! Be ready with modern ammunition, competitive strategy and the right tools.&nbsp;It's a jungle out there.<br /><br />&nbsp;<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-70362714134793248992016-08-15T10:53:00.001-04:002016-08-15T11:09:11.962-04:00 Entrepreneurs Walk a Tightrope<br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: xx-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;courier new&quot; , &quot;courier&quot; , monospace; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaAo8YsKYYE/V7HaYVCt5xI/AAAAAAAAA_A/JZVpqDe2wmIdW3kGINO9pwOSAv2Ock3-gCLcB/s1600/TIGHTROPE3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaAo8YsKYYE/V7HaYVCt5xI/AAAAAAAAA_A/JZVpqDe2wmIdW3kGINO9pwOSAv2Ock3-gCLcB/s400/TIGHTROPE3.jpg" width="370" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Every single day as a small business owner I think about "what's next" for my business.&nbsp;How do I want my business to grow or change? Do I add services, extend current services, or add products? </span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">I already know from experience it's more profitable to continue working with current and past clients, deepening those relationships and services, rather than working harder and spending more to recruit new clients. But, a part of me loves the relationship building and learning that comes with new clients. I try to work at both. </span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Being focused on today, yet planning for the future&nbsp;can be a challenge, but it's a requirement to&nbsp;thrive in business. I ran across this article on Forbes.com by William Vanderbloemen, and it speaks well to these challenges faced by entrepreneurs.</span><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><a href="http://tinyurl.com/jhuputl">http://tinyurl.com/jhuputl</a></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;">Stay true to your core business, keep a close eye on those financials, and don't let SOS lead you astray. We can do this. Let's keep our focus on getting across that tightrope to the other side.</span> <br /><div id="success"></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/williamvanderbloemen/2016/08/14/3-tightropes-every-entrepreneur-must-walk-3/#77d508d163b3">&nbsp;</a>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-47775440740763038302016-05-03T08:15:00.000-04:002016-05-03T08:15:52.616-04:00Your Company's Secret Asset<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inD-Cxr5FgU/VyiQ3oYpDHI/AAAAAAAAAs4/CxnbGrb9q4MD3DDFmz0Jrhwb_zmCGBHuQCLcB/s1600/Assets-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-inD-Cxr5FgU/VyiQ3oYpDHI/AAAAAAAAAs4/CxnbGrb9q4MD3DDFmz0Jrhwb_zmCGBHuQCLcB/s640/Assets-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />You can't run your company without your assets ~ operating capital, equipment, buildings or machinery. You can't run your company without customers either. Actually, you won't have a company without customers. Have you considered that your most important asset is your customer base?<br /><br />When do you most need the customer's perspective? On the day they purchase? Prior to a purchase? After a purchase? While all three of these choices are important when gauging the customer experience,&nbsp; thinking about the customer's perspective prior to a purchase is likely your best bet.&nbsp; <br /><br />How much time have you spent planning the customer experience? Creating a plan and making the&nbsp; <br />customer experience a high priority can produce the ROI that meets your goals. Don't your customers deserve your annual planning time just as much as your mission statement does? We have to earn our customer's trust and business, so we'd better plan how to get it!<br /><br />Customers are an asset.&nbsp; Just as you have an inventory of your vehicles, equipment, machinery and financials you need an inventory of your customers and a plan for growing your business through customers. Growth through customers ~ your secret asset. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-21203206455950747702016-04-05T21:02:00.000-04:002016-04-05T21:02:51.864-04:00What do you get when you survey turkeys?<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-FsjdfqwPA/VwRZF6QIWpI/AAAAAAAAArw/BApcXouZ9lIU6oeDPTfzLs4ThJbB9bQcw/s1600/turkeys-marching-fade-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-FsjdfqwPA/VwRZF6QIWpI/AAAAAAAAArw/BApcXouZ9lIU6oeDPTfzLs4ThJbB9bQcw/s400/turkeys-marching-fade-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Here's an excerpt from a recent conversation&nbsp;with a business owner (I'll call&nbsp;him Mark to protect the innocent)&nbsp;who expressed the need for&nbsp;a solution&nbsp;for a specific marketing challenge:</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Me:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You've probably used&nbsp;surveys before, right?"</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Mark:&nbsp; &nbsp;"Yeah. I'm not a big fan of surveys."</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Me:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;"Why not?"</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Mark:&nbsp;&nbsp;"People don't respond or they respond with dumb </strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; answers."</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Me:&nbsp;&nbsp; "Did you ask dumb questions?"</strong></span> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JlXzGXs3WbE/VwRXk7tUXYI/AAAAAAAAArk/2219JxgxCUg0lcd-BC9j2leqT-vE-7TZg/s1600/smiley%2Bangel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JlXzGXs3WbE/VwRXk7tUXYI/AAAAAAAAArk/2219JxgxCUg0lcd-BC9j2leqT-vE-7TZg/s200/smiley%2Bangel.jpg" width="173" /></a></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Mark:&nbsp; "Uh, maybe."</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Treat a survey design like it's&nbsp;targeted to turkeys, and that survey will give you&nbsp;back some gobble, gobble. &nbsp;Give the survey some R-E-S-P-E-C-T, and you will score way better results.</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Whether you're surveying for customer feedback, market research, employee satisfaction, or community opinions these things matter:&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>&nbsp;the design format&nbsp; *&nbsp; the right questions&nbsp; *&nbsp; and the analysis</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>A survey I created last year for a client was aimed at improving the customer experience. My client and I carefully designed the survey, crafted great questions, and distributed the survey to a targeted audience. We received&nbsp;very helpful and specific responses which were&nbsp;analyzed and used toward customer experience enhancements at the business.&nbsp;&nbsp;Happy client. Happy customers. </strong></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQS3QzTzCaA/VwRfQvf_hLI/AAAAAAAAAsA/04E0-BhAzJ0PHEJ9-St3tus4vJw0TIYtg/s1600/Happy-face-best-smiley-face-clip-art-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LQS3QzTzCaA/VwRfQvf_hLI/AAAAAAAAAsA/04E0-BhAzJ0PHEJ9-St3tus4vJw0TIYtg/s200/Happy-face-best-smiley-face-clip-art-7.jpg" width="197" /></a></strong></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><strong>Oh, and don't forget the next big thing. Use the results to make a difference in your business. Treat that survey with some respect, and don't target turkeys unless you're looking for Thanksgiving dinner.&nbsp; Sorry, I just couldn't resist!</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot;;"></span></strong><br /><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-17237026810796073472016-03-14T07:36:00.000-04:002016-03-14T07:36:05.945-04:00You Can Create an Engaging Workplace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgbUB8l0vms/VuIkqhRBhnI/AAAAAAAAAq8/vzw3WWJyndAtc11Sp5eOzTOA8nlK-a3KQ/s1600/culture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgbUB8l0vms/VuIkqhRBhnI/AAAAAAAAAq8/vzw3WWJyndAtc11Sp5eOzTOA8nlK-a3KQ/s640/culture.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Psychologist Daniel Pink writes that people are driven by "autonomy, mastery, and purpose."&nbsp;</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One of the top factors affecting the workplace and certainly a concern among entrepreneurs is finding a way to engage and retain employees. Although everyone likes excellent pay and would not turn down a raise, it may be surprising to learn that people are also after a more entrepreneurial and meaningful experience on the job.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Having a mission driven purpose that is understood and adopted by employees is one of the ways companies are able to engage and retain workers. There's a story told about a group of reporters at NASA who saw a janitor coming their way with a broom. They stopped him and asked, "What's your job here?" The janitor replied, "My job is to help put a man on the moon."&nbsp;</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kkS5fGKoKt8/VuIkuyVKqjI/AAAAAAAAArA/2Ow62VneSL0vVNZR9fDdz5ExLN7FbC59Q/s1600/culture-is-the-way.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kkS5fGKoKt8/VuIkuyVKqjI/AAAAAAAAArA/2Ow62VneSL0vVNZR9fDdz5ExLN7FbC59Q/s400/culture-is-the-way.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>People like to know their opinion is valued, and they crave work that lets them leave a unique fingerprint on a finished product.(Josh Bersin, Bersin and Deloitte).&nbsp;</b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Company leaders should share customer feedback, good and bad, in a way that helps employees understand there will be celebrations for successes and they have a stake in helping correct mistakes.</b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's never too late for companies to adopt and implement strategies to develop a more engaging workplace. Your employees will thank you for it.</b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fafafb; color: #838383; font-family: Consolas, monospace; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-90146344825564983562016-02-22T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-22T08:00:06.477-05:00How Strong is Your Trademark Name?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4HilOBJHSs/VsnePID-AlI/AAAAAAAAAqk/qNPOfJais-E/s1600/strength%2Bof%2Btrade%2Bmark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b4HilOBJHSs/VsnePID-AlI/AAAAAAAAAqk/qNPOfJais-E/s640/strength%2Bof%2Btrade%2Bmark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I consider myself very lucky to get to collaborate and network with smart women business owners. We all help each other become sharper and able to solve problems for each other and our clients. One of my smart women friends is Angie Avard Turner, an attorney specializing in business law for creatives. Here's what she had to say recently on her blog. Enjoy and learn!</b></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><div style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font-family: arial, helvetica; font-size: 10pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">"Above All Else Be Distinct"</span></b></div></span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We see lots of information about branding and how to create a brand that sticks. &nbsp;All of that information is vital when beginning a company. &nbsp;Quite frankly, many times we go and create the products and the goodies before we've even given the first thought of "the brand." &nbsp;A little backwards. &nbsp;What is even more backwards is when we think through the brand and the products and goodies, but do not think through whether this name is already being used; whether there are other products that have similar names that customers might confuse with mine; or whether the name is&nbsp;<strong>distinctive</strong>.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whether a name or mark is distinctive is one of the ultimate questions in trademark law. &nbsp;Distinctive is an adjective that gets used relatively often in the English language, however in legal speak, there is a specific meaning. As you may already know, trademarks &nbsp;are words, names, symbols and other items that distinguish and identify the sources of goods or services. Unfortunately, not all&nbsp;trademarks are created&nbsp;equal. &nbsp;Whether a trademark is&nbsp;<strong>distinctive&nbsp;</strong>will affect whether it receives protection and to what degree.</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the realm of trademark law there is this phenom called the spectrum of distinctiveness. &nbsp;The&nbsp;spectrum demonstrates the range of distinctiveness from least to greatest. &nbsp;Obviously those marks that are the least distinctive will receive little to no protection, while those that are most distinctive will receive the most protection. &nbsp;Trademarks are like SAT problems if you think figuring it out was "too easy," then you are probably missing something and most likely got it wrong. &nbsp;There is an art to naming a business; it is not an exact science. &nbsp;If it were, we would not have all the court proceeding and litigation that we do!</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So the question is, look at your mark, your brand, where does your mark fit in the spectrum? Are you distinct?</span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 14.4pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-67010614714396645472016-02-05T18:16:00.000-05:002016-02-05T18:16:16.046-05:0010 Ways to Gain Trust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKwbUtPr1-4/VrUmLwUpocI/AAAAAAAAAqI/wrFpbfao63E/s1600/trust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YKwbUtPr1-4/VrUmLwUpocI/AAAAAAAAAqI/wrFpbfao63E/s640/trust.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I don't know of any other single factor in life or business that is more important than trust. I recently had a conversation on this topic with my nephew. He is experiencing "feel good moments" due to interactions with people who trust him in business and personal transactions. He's young and is seeing the value.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Has the world changed to the point that trust is harder to find than ever? &nbsp;I don't think so. I think it boils down to negative news from every direction. There are trustworthy people, and there are untrustworthy people. Always has been. Always will be.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>All that really matters is this: In which category do you wish to be recognized and remembered?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here are my tips, gained from years of experience, for gaining a reputation of trust:</b></span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Listen carefully to what people have to say.&nbsp;</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Never over- promise just to get the business.</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Think of the relationship before thinking of the business potential.</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Treat others as you would like to be treated.</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Find out how you can help others, then do as much as you can.</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do what you say you will do. Every time.</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If you screw up, admit it and apologize. Make it up to the person whether you got the business or not.</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Always, always be thankful and show it.</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be genuine. If you aren't, it will show.</b></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be a positive spirit and influence. You never know when someone you encounter needs it and remembers it.</b></span></li></ol>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-55968991100867823582015-11-13T11:46:00.002-05:002015-11-13T11:46:25.466-05:00Don't get sideswiped! Create your "AHA! Vision" <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T45nKm1NtFY/VkYMldaIbKI/AAAAAAAAApA/11HmSkzNqYY/s1600/aha4aicon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T45nKm1NtFY/VkYMldaIbKI/AAAAAAAAApA/11HmSkzNqYY/s400/aha4aicon.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I consider October through February the "season for strategic planning" for every organization. We can't help but think of the current year's successes, failures, challenges and opportunities taken or missed. At the same time we begin focusing our attention on the things we desire for the coming year and longer. If organization leaders don't do this, the teams lose opportunities for focus and creative thinking.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It can be mind-boggling! Do you feel slightly (or a lot) overwhelmed at the thought of creating a vision that will truly speak to your brand, your mission, your passion and purpose? Were you able to focus on those areas during 2015 or were you sideswiped from your intended path? </span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's start a revolution! Strategic planning should be more about the Aha! moments that lead to a lasting vision. It's exciting, not dull. It's liberating, not restricting. It's fresh and memorable.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've facilitated many strategic planning sessions over the years, and here is the common denominator:</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Over time the leadership team gets distracted, failing to keep a laser focus on the vision and mission, forgetting to tie every strategy and action back to that vision and mission.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FlhxpKM53_o/VkYPSyx7jlI/AAAAAAAAApY/I3wr6vb6VLo/s1600/vision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FlhxpKM53_o/VkYPSyx7jlI/AAAAAAAAApY/I3wr6vb6VLo/s640/vision.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I want to hang around longer, past the day or two of planning, so when you get muddled and sideswiped; when you see the trees instead of the forest; when that 30,000 foot view is cloudy I step back in as your coach to keep you focused.&nbsp;</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I've been where you are. I know the challenges, and it drives me crazy just as it does you, to miss those opportunities when they are right in front of me. You too, right?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>So here we are in the season for creating the Aha! Vision. Jump on board, and let's take this journey together. &nbsp;Call or email for a chat. Here are my open dates for the first part of 2016&nbsp;+ one in December:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday, December 9, 2015</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday, January 13, 2016</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thursday, January 21, 2016</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wednesday, January 20, 2016</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Monday, February 1, 2016</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-3652659123457661202015-11-12T08:39:00.000-05:002015-11-12T08:41:49.503-05:00Fears are little white lies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0I4mV2AlnM/VkSKhs5CpEI/AAAAAAAAAoY/7uaML6d_T1I/s1600/Fear%2Bof%2BPublic%2BSpeaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N0I4mV2AlnM/VkSKhs5CpEI/AAAAAAAAAoY/7uaML6d_T1I/s400/Fear%2Bof%2BPublic%2BSpeaking.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>What are you afraid of? Okay, I'll guess. Is it public speaking? Mountaintops? Death? I'll tell you my greatest fear: rats. Oh, go ahead. You may want to call them mice as if they are sweet little pets. To me they are rats, and they are nasty and deadly!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>But, before we get too far down that ratty hole, the topic of fear begs to be discussed, sliced and diced. In the business and career world fear can raise its ugly head every now and then. When opportunities and challenges knock on your door, it's better to be prepared and ready than to roll into a fetal position. I must admit I have never seen a rat in my entire career. Well, except the boss I'm about to tell you about.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Everyone is afraid of something. Once I had a boss who was afraid of being nice. I'm not joking. This woman (thing) could not be nice if I had choked her into it, which I was sorely tempted to do. I could not change her, but she could have changed herself and thus her career success if she had so desired.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>I've held a few personality test workshops lately with a focus on leadership and communication. From my experience in this area I can promise you there are people who are afraid of many things, such as:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>a) fear of losing control</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>b) fear of being in control</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>b) fear of not being noticed</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>c) fear of being noticed</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>c) fear of change</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>d) fear of no change&nbsp;</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>d) fear of poor performance</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4YbUOx3vJc/VkSVgGTBRVI/AAAAAAAAAos/GTGlR7B18fI/s1600/fears-are-stories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J4YbUOx3vJc/VkSVgGTBRVI/AAAAAAAAAos/GTGlR7B18fI/s320/fears-are-stories.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>&nbsp;The list of fears goes on and on. Books can and probably have been written about fear.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>To slice and dice fear ( I bet that's a fear too - slicing and dicing) here are some ways to overcome your fears.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>1) The first step is to admit your fear head on because that will enable you to move beyond it.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>2) Decide that conquering the fear is more important than holding on to the security your fear brings.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">3) Acknowledge the difference between rational fears and irrational fears (i.e. drinking &nbsp;and driving vs mice). &nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>4) Do that thing that scares you. Now. Make the appointment. Ask for the sale. Write&nbsp;</b></span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">the first page of the book. Confirm a speaking engagement.&nbsp;</b><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>5) Train yourself to look forward to the energy and excitement of conquering the fear.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>Speaking business here, I know you will benefit and grow when you overcome your fears. The worst thing you can do is sit around and admire others whom you feel are more confident, brave, adept than you, falsely believing you're not up to the challenge. It's simply not true. Everyone of those you admire has fears too. I promise.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: &quot;arial&quot; , &quot;helvetica&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>You can overcome your fear and realize the success you've dreamed of. Get started now!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-56617764881076309132015-10-12T14:16:00.001-04:002015-10-12T14:16:24.406-04:00Who wins at growth strategy? Hedgehog or Fox?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8nzxZ_VBrQ/Vhvu7zAnGpI/AAAAAAAAAng/ybMIvdoce6I/s1600/hedgehog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b8nzxZ_VBrQ/Vhvu7zAnGpI/AAAAAAAAAng/ybMIvdoce6I/s400/hedgehog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There is a science to taking a business from good to great, and that research spawned a best seller titled, well, <i>Good to Great</i>. Author Jim Collins helped us understand the "why" of businesses that became household names and were consistently profitable over the long term.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I'm one of those thinkers with 100 ideas and solutions flying around inside my teeny tiny brain at all times. Some people are thinkers with 1 or 2 ideas and solutions occurring peacefully inside their brain as they need them. Before you decide which is best and who needs to go back to school, read on.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Enter The Hedgehog Concept. An ancient Greek parable states: "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." Philosopher Isaiah Berlin applied this parable to people in a 1953 essay, saying people are either foxes or hedgehogs.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Because of the fox's wide variety of interests and strategies, their thinking is scattered and unfocused; therefore, they are limited in what they're able to achieve in the long run.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The hedgehog, however, is a slow and steady thinker. Unlike the fox, they are able to simplify the world and focus on one overarching vision. This principle guides everything they do and helps them succeed against all odds.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jim Collins applied this concept to organizations, pointing out that they can find their "Hedgehog Concept" by making three important assessments.&nbsp;</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1 - Understand what it is people are truly passionate about.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2 - Identify what it does better than anyone else.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3 - Determine what drives its economic engine.</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwgUOzGL2WM/Vhv3cSOWd6I/AAAAAAAAAnw/sJnWrRQW4rI/s1600/hedgehog-concept-graph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwgUOzGL2WM/Vhv3cSOWd6I/AAAAAAAAAnw/sJnWrRQW4rI/s400/hedgehog-concept-graph.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give this some thought. While you're driving from one place to another, think of hedgehogs and foxes, passion and profit. If you're a hedgehog you will find this a simple activity, quietly contemplating. Whereas if you're a fox you may think of so many things you will overheat. Take care, and we will take this discussion further in the next post!</span></b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-77086139902775738982015-10-08T08:55:00.000-04:002015-10-08T08:55:00.083-04:00Top 5 Easiest Ways to Say Thank You in Business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgbd-6wgA1w/VhVjvL0lk7I/AAAAAAAAAmw/VFLQ9X2jQdY/s1600/Thank-You-Quotes-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tgbd-6wgA1w/VhVjvL0lk7I/AAAAAAAAAmw/VFLQ9X2jQdY/s400/Thank-You-Quotes-22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a dumb blog post, right?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every 3 year old knows how to say, "Thank you." Pfffftt! We're all as polite as Emily Post.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's get right down to where the rubber meets the road on this topic. Everyone knows how to say those two magic words, but does everyone actually do it? Nah, especially in business relationships. I also miss opportunities sometimes. Showing gratitude is not just for best friends and family. It's a business thing too.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everyone is super busy with little time for creative thinking and planning, especially at work. In fact, we get so busy we forget that businesses and careers are built on relationships.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I list the 5 easiest ways to say thank you, for convenience I'm going to refer to your business friend as "someone". I like simplicity, don't you?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll start with the hardest one first. Ahem.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><ol><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look someone in the eyes, and say, "Thank you." Go ahead and laugh, but do you do it? Or, do you avoid it because it feels uncomfortable? The trick is to be specific and timely. For example, "Jeremy, thank you for helping me get all those tables set up for the auction dinner. You're the best!"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Call someone on your handy dandy cell phone, which is in your hand 24/7, and say, "Thank you." Not everyone likes gushy. Again, be specific and keep it short and simple. "Kelly, thank you for the introduction to Mrs. Smithwick. I've wanted to meet her for a long time, and you made it happen." That's all.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you're buying groceries, select one extra something delish and take that yummy thing to someone. Is it a pie, a candy bar, a flower, a bag of biscuits with butter? Why not? "Thank you, Jonathan. You made my day when you handled that angry customer../</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Write a thank you note to someone. If you send a pre-printed card and only sign your name, I am calling the Police. It's not necessary to write a 500 word article.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Give someone $10,000. (just kiddin') Unless, of course, you want to send that to me. Alternatively, give someone a $10 gift card to anywhere. Anywhere is a great place when it's free.</span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the business world, people are still people. People like to be appreciated. So, there. I bet I can say, "Thank you" to more people than you. Go!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Af_AAXMzKQ/VhVpujwjrYI/AAAAAAAAAnE/piIOic_pKzA/s1600/thank-you1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Af_AAXMzKQ/VhVpujwjrYI/AAAAAAAAAnE/piIOic_pKzA/s400/thank-you1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-71434270379917421962015-09-30T00:44:00.001-04:002015-09-30T00:45:35.091-04:00There's just something about 250 Magic Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoYN4HbIbR4/VgtdEAeDmuI/AAAAAAAAAmM/jfC6yrW7lSs/s1600/church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hoYN4HbIbR4/VgtdEAeDmuI/AAAAAAAAAmM/jfC6yrW7lSs/s400/church.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in the day the old New Hope Church practically shook with joyous singing every Sunday for hours on end. Inside the modest building, handmade pews of solid pine were lined up in rows and ragged hymnals were passed around, shared by steady hands when the crowd outnumbered the hymnals.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The congregation grew until the old church could no longer hold all of Sunday's best, and a new church was built a few miles away. I don't know when the last sermon was preached here, but I've imagined it was a proud and happy day as the pastor looked forward to a bigger sanctuary. I know the church was abandoned in the late 70's because I became a tiny bit obsessed with it. At that time I lived a couple of miles away from this property and would often turn down the shady, dirt road just to ride by the church and let my imagination run wild on the potential of the property.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was fairly convinced of what a lovely and perfect little cottage it could be if renovated. I remember that in my imagination I built a sleeping loft toward the back and installed beautiful, shiny pine floors. But, it was not to be at that time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the meantime the one acre parcel, including the church, was purchased by Jay and Dorothy Harwood, and in 1984 they built their forever home there near the church. Jay was a 20 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was smart, witty and kind. He spent many hours in the former church, having converted it to a spacious workshop and garage where he tinkered with trucks, motorcycles and other things that caught his interest. Many times I saw Dot sitting in the yard to watch Jay work on his projects.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jay and Dot lived at 250 Magic &nbsp;Road the rest of their lives and were dear friends to everyone in our rural neighborhood. &nbsp;We had purchased a farm and built a home further down Magic Road, so we were were neighbors. Eventually, the property was put on the market, and we bought it. We didn't need it, but as it had so many years before, the old church called my name.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o0BGHBYO9Tc/Vgtc8eD-yAI/AAAAAAAAAl8/9aEnh0McBcs/s1600/250inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o0BGHBYO9Tc/Vgtc8eD-yAI/AAAAAAAAAl8/9aEnh0McBcs/s400/250inside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here's the home Jay and Dot built. It's 3 S's: solid, simple and sweet. We've added a new roof, new flooring, fresh paint and a few other things. It's cute as a button and located just a few hundred feet off a paved highway on quiet Magic Road. Country living at it's best.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsIHYZRK1SE/Vgtc_pmDRsI/AAAAAAAAAmE/IgmDmQqmIWc/s1600/250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hsIHYZRK1SE/Vgtc_pmDRsI/AAAAAAAAAmE/IgmDmQqmIWc/s400/250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />After owning for several years, we have put the property up for sale because we know there is a family looking for just such a place. We've rented out the house, and it's been well maintained. I've enjoyed using the church for storage, working on projects and occasional sales of vintage pieces I hunt and gather. That sweet old church deserves more, don't you think?<br /><br />So, here she is, 250 Magic Road. There's just something about it, and I think it's&nbsp;calling someone's name. If it's you, here's where you can learn more about it:<br />&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keysouth.idxco.com/idx/18955/details.php?idxID=301&amp;listingID=908646" target="_blank">250 Magic Road, Boston, GA</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-41292492431023557102015-09-08T21:26:00.000-04:002015-09-08T21:26:06.857-04:00It's a good lesson for these hurried times<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t0On4fSGZkg/Ve-Ht8NeWXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/UUF67SyleSg/s1600/generous%2Bspirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t0On4fSGZkg/Ve-Ht8NeWXI/AAAAAAAAAlE/UUF67SyleSg/s400/generous%2Bspirit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Recently I was reminded how easy it is to ignore an opportunity to have a generous spirit.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I was checking out in a home improvement store, and my transaction was a little complex. I needed to arrange to pay for merchandise that was located in another store in a nearby town&nbsp;+ arrange to have my contractor approved to pick it up.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Christina was my cashier. Here's how good she is: She smiled and told me it would be no trouble at all as she took all the information. Other customers began to line up behind me, and she was the only cashier in that area at that moment. She immediately acknowledged the other customers, telling them it would take just a few minutes, she called in assistance to open another register and proceeded with helping me. And, she smiled. &nbsp;I made sure to thank her for her great service. I left the store feeling good.</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4cVDBJtIowI/Ve-JLEqDocI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/w3C8AkeT6Xs/s1600/feeling%2Bgood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4cVDBJtIowI/Ve-JLEqDocI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/w3C8AkeT6Xs/s400/feeling%2Bgood.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, maybe not <i>that</i> good! Ha!</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I loaded my purchases in my car I remembered something else I was supposed to buy, so I went back inside, quickly found what I needed and got in line in another area with a different cashier. As I approached I spoke to her and barely got a glance. She looked unhappy. To he honest she looked downright miserable. I began to feel that little angst of frustration bubbling within me, especially since I had just enjoyed wonderful service at the same store.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suddenly I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. I decided to see what she would do with another chance. I said, "Are you feeling badly today?" She said, "Yes, I've just called my doctor because I'm having severe leg pains and it hasn't been long since I was in the hospital with blood clots. I know I have another one. I'm waiting to hear back from the doctor's office."</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here she was, working while standing on a concrete floor and worried sick about having a blood clot.&nbsp;</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course I expressed concern, wished her well and told her I would say a prayer that all will be well.</span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hmuYIjd7Pk/Ve-JvyJKCzI/AAAAAAAAAlY/nw_sTvTxTIU/s1600/worried-face.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hmuYIjd7Pk/Ve-JvyJKCzI/AAAAAAAAAlY/nw_sTvTxTIU/s200/worried-face.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I wanted to kick myself for so quickly becoming frustrated about her attitude! Although I'm a raving fan of great service where I shop, I am reminded that unfriendly service does not always mean what it appears. People we encounter are sometimes carrying a heavy burden, and they are understandably distracted.</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>It's a good lesson to be learned. Choosing a generous spirit when at all possible is a mighty good thing.&nbsp;</b></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-48514235786454801032015-08-30T14:35:00.002-04:002015-09-08T21:26:35.095-04:00Control freaks on the loose!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8orW02KIBlg/VeNMNL46lzI/AAAAAAAAAkk/y2Tvtyfkfkg/s1600/conrol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8orW02KIBlg/VeNMNL46lzI/AAAAAAAAAkk/y2Tvtyfkfkg/s400/conrol.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My friend, Eliza, is full of creative inspiration and just the right dose of sarcasm to keep a conversation lively. Last week she shared an article with me that I loved. She knew I would, of course, because the article featured 11 of the best customer service stories, and customer service is a real big deal to me.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I have come to believe that <i>one</i> reason we receive poor customer service is we encounter control freaks where we spend our money. Think about it. How many times have you been given one or more of these responses from a business employee?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"No."</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"We don't have anymore of those."</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"I'm just going by the rules."</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>"That's the way we've always done it."</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>&nbsp;Or, to simply be ignored.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Have you encountered the most miserable person on the planet who cannot acknowledge you, much less smile and speak? And, all this&nbsp;<i>while you are handing over your money for a purchase</i>? Please. </b></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryn3TGPhhAs/VeNIpNu1-OI/AAAAAAAAAkU/le23XQRSqy8/s1600/unhappy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryn3TGPhhAs/VeNIpNu1-OI/AAAAAAAAAkU/le23XQRSqy8/s320/unhappy.png" width="306" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes this terrible service happens because the sales person is a control freak and wants to make sure you don't get what you want. Or, the sales person has a goal that you cannot come close to feeling good that day. &nbsp;The nasty control freak is miserable in her/his own skin and wants you to be miserable also. Have you seen the movie, <i>Misery</i>? I wouldn't want Kathy Bates to have it in for me.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Oh, you should read these best customer service stories. It'll do your heart good.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;http://mentalfloss.com/article/30198/11-best-customer-service-stories-ever</span></b><br /><br /><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-1834359958656478312015-08-27T09:25:00.003-04:002015-09-08T21:26:56.909-04:00Ashton Kucher said it best<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGdTL_3VkaE/Vd8JbBDCzGI/AAAAAAAAAj8/x09MPIl92GI/s1600/work.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGdTL_3VkaE/Vd8JbBDCzGI/AAAAAAAAAj8/x09MPIl92GI/s640/work.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When I was 15 my first real job was working in a retail store; then, when I was 16 I got a job working in a medical office, then waiting tables in a restaurant my mother operated for awhile. My next job was in the office of a fish processing plant, then I worked for a hardware store. After that I worked in the field of child support enforcement, then at a furniture distribution center, and after that at a technical/community college, then I wound up my "job" career in economic development, then immediately started my consulting business.&nbsp;</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>All along the way I took college classes, paying my own way til I graduated, taught college classes part-time or ran a little business of some kind. Every job was a step upward, and I always felt thankful for the opportunities given me; therefore, I worked very hard and expected others to do the same.&nbsp;</b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like Ashton, I was always busy working away at something and trying to improve along the way.&nbsp;</b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When I started my consulting business, I simply turned to all my experience, figured out which talents brought me the most joy&nbsp;+ seemed to solve problems in the business world and, here I am enjoying the benefits of those many years of plugging away.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I didn't say every job was always thrilling or happy. Most of the time I worked with and for wonderful people, and sometimes I worked with the devil's little helpers. But, I didn't give up, and I didn't quit. It never occurred to me that I could depend on someone else to support me.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What's your story?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146995589460988436.post-17666333377405349232015-08-25T10:14:00.005-04:002015-08-25T10:15:31.750-04:00Worn out? Heeere's you sign!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gd0APEQzd-8/Vdx38yNKSKI/AAAAAAAAAjg/rEvbb8hGsa0/s1600/relaxed-or-stressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gd0APEQzd-8/Vdx38yNKSKI/AAAAAAAAAjg/rEvbb8hGsa0/s640/relaxed-or-stressed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do you ever think, "I wish I could get away for a couple of days and decompress."</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Although I thoroughly enjoy being with people, and that energizes me, there comes a time when my brain and body are in overload...too much stimulation and busy-ness. &nbsp;Did I make up that word?</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now that I manage my own time I schedule an annual retreat for myself.&nbsp;</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This year I'm spending a few days at my daughter's home on the Gulf coast while they are on vacation. Ahhh.....I love their vacations! She and her family are moving real soon, so this is my last shot at this free VRBO.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>As difficult as it may seem, we should all take better care of ourselves. The constant hum and buzz of life can cause stress, and when that happens we have to find a way to turn it down a little. This is one way I handle it. You may have other methods, so, just do whatever it takes to reclaim your calmness.</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My consulting projects await me, and I've had great quality time to do some creative thinking and planning on those projects and the future. It's all good. See that image up top? Turn right, and plan a retreat for yourself.&nbsp;</b></span><br /><br />&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dara Barwickhttps://plus.google.com/108334895758991768859noreply@blogger.com0